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Nature|Parks & Gardens

Chestnut Ridge Park Is A Beautiful, Must-Visit Destination In New York

Chestnut Ridge Park in Western New York offers diverse outdoor activities and scenic views, making it a perfect family destination year-round.

Published Jan 16, 2021

Written by 

Witt Wells

Major attractions like Letchworth State Park and Watkins Glen State Park get a lot of the love when it comes to tourism in upstate New York, but this park tucked away in Western New York is a worthy destination for anyone looking to dig a little deeper into exploring some of the state's most beautiful region. It's also the perfect weekend destination for the whole family, whether the snow is falling or summer is in full swing. Whether you're looking to go snowmobiling or play some frisbee golf with a few friends, this park has something for everyone.

Chestnut Ridge Park in Western New York tends to fly under the radar, but it has no shortage of gorgeous hikes and views for adventurers to enjoy as they soak in the picturesque scenery of Erie County.

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Flickr/KimCarpenter NJ

Take a trip to this gorgeous region in the winter for a variety of thrilling adventures like snowshoeing, sledding, tobaggoning and even skiing. It's the perfect surprise day trip with the whole family.

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Chestnut Ridge Conservancy FB Page

The park is perhaps best known for being the location of Eternal Flame Falls, where a gas emission at the base of the waterfall produces a flame that can be seen by hikers passing by. It's one of the most unique destinations you can visit while on a hike!

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Tripadvisor Jennifer L

The park is 1,151 acres, so whether you're traveling on foot or by snowmobile, you won't run out of stunning landscapes to explore.

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Chestnut Ridge Conservancy FB Page

This isn't your average local park, so be ready for a day of adventure. Explore some great trails, hit the tennis courts, or ride down this giant slide!

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Flickr/jdtornow

Winding through these picturesque trails is one of the best ways to spend a Saturday.

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Tripadvisor ElenaUma

It's the ideal spot for a family picnic, with multiple buildings at the park, along with plenty of pavilions and shelters.

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Flickr/osiristhe

From an outdoor athletic field to picnic grills and a playground, this also a great spot to just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.

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Tripadvisor Larry W

If you plan to visit this park in the winter, the sled hill is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The ski tow operates Wednesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Completely Free Nature Spot Hiding in a New York Park Is a Must-Visit

Webster Pond is an amazing secret pond in New York that offers a stunning slice of nature not far from the big city.

Published Sep 6, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

As I explore more and more of the Empire State, I've developed a love for the unique cities of upstate. There is so much to do, see, and eat in these cities that it can be a little overwhelming in the best way. Still, sometimes I need to get away and decompress, and that's the perfect time to explore one of the city's charming county parks. A perfect example can be found in Syracuse, hiding in the humble Rand Tract Park. A heavily-wooded park filled with easy hiking trails, it's also home to Webster Pond, a unique and beautiful pond that has been designated as a nature preserve and is teeming with life. It's one of the most accessible nature spots in Syracuse, so discover this gorgeous hidden pond in New York below!

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A lush forest scene with moss-covered rocks and fallen branches amidst tall trees and vibrant green foliage.
Kyra Carp/AllTrails

Rand Tract Park is a laid-back upstate New York destination, and it can be seen via the Webster Pond and Rand Tract Trail, which is an easy 2.2-mile loop trail. You'll encounter some uneven terrain, but the heavily wooded area is beautiful.

A serene lake surrounded by lush greenery and trees under a clear blue sky. Reflections shimmer on the water's surface.
Erin Hanlon/AllTrails

The main highlight of the area is Webster Pond, a stunningly beautiful pond that has been maintained as a nature preserve since 1890. Dogs aren't allowed on the trail - likely to ensure the ecosystem here remains undisturbed.

A serene pond scene with ducks swimming among trees and reflections on the water's surface.
Erin Hanlon/AllTrails

The pond is designed as a refuge for the local fish, game, and birds - especially birds. Lots and lots of birds, making this an incredible spot for birdwatchers to visit.

A white swan stands by a pond, with ducks in the background and trees lining the shore.
Ali Shela/AllTrails

The pond is surrounded by handicaped-accessible bridges and plenty of benches, so this is a great laid-back spot for people to visit when they need a break from the hustle and bustle of Syracuse. It's an ideal spot for the whole family - the kids can look for birds while grandpa takes a break.

A large flock of ducks gathers on a calm, cloudy lake surrounded by trees and a wooden dock.
Joe Bessette/AllTrails

At some points, it feels like it's really the birds' pond and we're just visiting - and that's exactly how we like it. This pond is an amazing spot to visit through the year.

Have you visited Webster Pond in Rand Tract Park before? Let us know about your visit to this hidden pond in New York in the comments section! You can see more pictures of the pond and the surrounding area on the Webster Pond and Rand Tract Trail listing on AllTrails. This might be an easy trail, but the trail guides and point-by-point directions on AllTrails + might still be useful to someone new to the area. And when you're done with nature, why not visit Syracuse's spectacular Destiny USA - one of the largest malls in the United States?

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

This Natural Water Park In New York Is A Summer Dream Come True

Published Aug 16, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Visiting a summer waterpark in New York is always a lot of fun, but during those hot summer days, it doesn't always work to beat the heat! The crowds are out in full force and the sun is beating down on the concrete and plastic. That's why when that summer heat gets to be too much, many adventurous types prefer to instead head off the beaten path and discover a natural adventure. We found exactly that at Lake George Wild Forest, a sprawling destination with over 40 individual rustic trails and some of the region's most beautiful sights. But we were the most surprised to find out that it was home to what might be the only natural waterslide in New York! This is Bear Slide Trail, a simple hike not far off the beaten path that allows you to get your feet wet and take a wet-and-wild adventure down a flowing path, far away from the area's busiest tourist destinations!

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Lake George Wild Forest is a choose-your-own-adventure of a park, with almost fifty trails leading to stunning mountaintops...

A scenic view of a lake surrounded by mountains and trees under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
Harriet Santisi/AllTrails

And peaceful waterfronts. But there's one hidden gem of a trail that most people don't know about.

A serene lake surrounded by lush greenery and trees, reflecting the sky and hills in calm waters.
Web Surfer/Google Local

The Bear Slide Trail is a fairly short, easy-to-access trail that follows a racing brook. Some of the brook is rocky...

A serene forest scene featuring a flowing stream over rocks, surrounded by tall trees and dappled sunlight.
Dan Steltz/Google Local

But at a certain point, it smoothes out while still flowing downhill. After heavy rain, it'll be a rushing river that you can simply sit down in...and let it sweep you away!

A person sits on a rocky riverbank beside a dog, surrounded by lush green trees and a gently flowing stream.
Visit Lake George

Your final destination is a small waterfall with a shallow pool at the end, the perfect cool finish to this natural waterslide!

A serene stream flows over moss-covered rocks in a lush, wooded area.
Dan Steltz/Google Local

You can even camp on the ground, with 63 primitive camping sites available around the forest. It's the perfect rustic adventure for summer.

A blue tent set up in a forest clearing, with a tarp overhead and a small table nearby. Trees surround the campsite.
Web Surfer/Google Local

Have you taken the often-wild ride on the Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest? Let us know what you think of this unique natural waterslide in New York in the comments section! To learn more about this massive natural destination, check out the Lake George Wild Forest page on the NY website. There is so much hiking to do in this area, with many of the trails being challenging, so we recommend a subscription to AllTrails + - this is the kind of destination this app was made for, letting you stay connected with downloadable trail guides no matter how remote your hike is. And if you're in the mood for a different kind of local adventure, Six Flags Great Escape just opened a new and thrilling wooden roller coaster!

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